Brick block and tile molding machine



5 Sheets-Sheet l April 7, 1936. A. RfsHlNN Er AL BRICK BLOCK AND TILEMOLDING MACHINE Fileduuly 5. 1928 /NVf/VTORS ALBERT R. SH/NN. ./osEPH T. VOORHEIS. B Y OQW #1%4 V M ATTORNEYS.

AP 7, 1936- A. R. sHlNN E1' AL l BRICK BLOCK AND TILE MOLDING MACHINE Filed July 5,1928 -5 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOKS ALBERT R'. sH/NN.

WMM

A TTORN E YS.

BY mad April 7, 1936. A. R. sHlNN Er AL 2,036,367

BRICK BLOCK AND TILE MOLDING .MACHINE Filed July 50 1928 5 Sheets-Sme*v 3 .aff s, a al ,a m l l z vw I W@ MN MN INVENTOR@ ALBERT R, SH/NN. JOSEPH T.VOOHS.

ATTORNEYS.

U Y um AWGN" .WN` m Illm O Om Wl April 7, 1936. A. R. sHlNN Er AL 2,036,367

BRICK BLOCK AND TILE MOLDING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1928 5 sheets-sheet 4 INVENTORS ALBERT /a sH/N/v,

JOSEPH 7'. VOORHE/S.

April 7, 1935- A. R. sHlNN Er Al. 2,036,367

BRICK BLOCK AND TILE MOLDING MACHINE ALBERT R* SH/NN. JOSEPH T VOURHEIS.

Patented Apr. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES BRICK BLOCK AND TILE MOLDING MACHINE Albert R. Shinn, Berkeley, and Joseph T. Voorheis, Oakland, Calif., assignors to American Concrete Units Co. Inc., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application July 5, 1928, Serial No. 290,347

1s claims..

This inventionfrelates to a brick, block and tile molding machine, and particularly to a machine which is adapted to mold articles from wet or plastic concrete in which a large proportion of coarse aggregate is used. The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of machines of the characterdescribed, and especially to provide a machine which is adapted for quantity production where a plastic mix is employed.

The invention, briefly stated, embodies a main frame in which are mounted one or more molds. A roller conveyor is disposed below the molds and extends longitudinally of the frame. It serves the function of support. 1g one or more pallets which co-operate with the mold. Means are provided for delivering empty pallets to the molds and for removing pallets loaded -with the molded product. Means are provided whereby a tight contact between the lower ends of the molds and the pallets is maintained during the lling and molding operation'. A movable or reciprocally mounted hopper is provided for filling the molds. A co-operating mechanismis provided whereby a shaking movement is transmitted to the molds to settle the concrete during the iilling and molding operation. Means are employed to raise or strip the mold after the filling and molding operation, to permit removal ofthe molded product and the pallets lsupporting the same. Means are provided for relieving any suction or vacuum action during the stripping operation, and a hydraulic driving and control mechanism is employed to actuate the several operations.

One form which the machine may assume is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. l is a side elevation of the machine, showing the rear side thereof.

Fig. 2 is a central, vertical, longitudinal section of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. l.

Fig. l is a longitudinal plan section taken on line lill-IV, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the machine, taken on line V-V, Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section taken on line VI--VL Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of one of the gears.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the main valve chest.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same.

Fig. l is a cross-section taken on line X-X, Fig. 8.

Fig. 1l is a cross-section taken on line XI-XI, Fig. 8.

Fig. l2 is a diagrammatic view showing the hydraulic driving and controlling mechanism.

Referring to the drawings in detail, particularly Figs. 1, 2, and 7, A indicates in general a main frame which may be constructed in any suitable manner. In this instance it is shown as constructed of structural iron, such as channel beams,

angle bars, etc. The frame consists of vertical 5 uprights 2 which are tied by cross-beams and longitudinal bars, such as indicated at 3. Connecting the upright members 2 at suitable intervals are a number of cross-beams il which form a support for a pairof angle bars such as indi- 10 cated at 5. These angle bars extend from end to end of the machine, and each bar carries a plurality of rollers such as indicated at t. These rollers form a conveyor which extends from end to end of the machine, and the conveyor serves the function of a support for a series of pallets such as indicated at ll. Empty pallets are delivered to the end of the machine indicated at B and means is employed to advancey the pallets with a step by step movement from one end of the machine to the other.

The pallet advancing or feeding mechanism consists of a cross head t which is secured to the outer end of a piston rod 9. lThe inner end oi the rod is attached to a piston it which operates in a cylinder ll. The piston is hydraulically actuated, and combination inlet and outlet pipes it and it are arranged on opposite ends of the cylinder so as to impart a reciprocal movement to the piston, lthe piston rod 9 and the cross 3u head 8. When the cross head and connected mechanism travels in the direction of arrow a (see Fig. 2) the pallets will be advanced along the roller conveyor. That is, empty pallets will be delivered to the mold generally indicated at C while pallets lled or loaded with the molded product will be discharged from the opposite end of the conveyor indicated at D. When discharging pallets loaded with the molded product, it should be realized that the molded product is in a plastic condition. That is, the molded product is removed from the mold before the .cement commences to set. It is accordingly essential that a sudden jar or jolting movement must not be transmitted to the pallets when they are loaded with the molded product. A valve lt has accordingly been placed in the pipe line indicated at l2. This valve normally assumes a substantially closed position. 'I'he valve is provided with a handle such as shown at l5. The upper end of the handle is curved, while the lower end of the handle is connected with a spring it and also with a chain l'l, the opposite end oi the chain being attached to the cross head as shown in Fig. 2. If fluid under pressure is admitted through the pipe l2 it is momentarily checked by the substantially closed valve lt. Water will, however, slowly pass through the valve and as such will impart a slow movement to the piston, the cross head and the pallets moved thereby.

However, as the cross head and the pallets advance the chain I1 slackens while the spring I3 exerts a pull. During this slow movement the valve will accordingly gradually open and when the handle assumes the dotted line position indicated at I4a it will be fully open and maximum speed will then be transmitted to the cross head and the pallets( In other words, movement transmitted to the pallets is slow during the starting period and is then gradually accelerated until the valve assumes full open position. From then on, the cross head and the pallets travel at maximum speed. As the cross head approaches the end of its stroke the valve is again slowly closed, and the movement of the cross head and thev pallets as it comes to a stop position is gradually slowed up so that the molded product will not be shaken or jolted. This is accomplished by providing an extension I8 on the lower side' of the cross head. This extension engages the upper end of the arm I4 and this engagement swings the valve handle back to the full line position where the valve is substantially closed, thus slowly shutting off the iiuid supply to the cylinder and thereby slowing down or checking the stopping movement. The means for delivering fluid under pressure to the pipes I2 or I3 will hereinafter be described.

The mold indicated at C may be constructed in any suitable manner, depending upon whether bricks, blocks or tile are to be made. In the present instance a brick mold is illustrated. The mold is in this instance supported in a secondary frame which is perhaps best illustrated in Figs. 1, 5 and 6. The frame consists of pairs of upright members I9 which are connected at their lower ends by means of cross beams 20. The upper ends are provided with short arms 2I which are secured at their inner ends to the mold C. The secondary frame, together with the mold, is adapted to be raised and lowered with relation to the pallets, and the following mechanism is employed.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 6, it will be noted that the main frame A is provided with two crossshafts such as shown at 22. Secured on each cross-shaft is a pair of crank arms 23, and extending outwardly from the crank arms are links 24 which are pivotally attached to the crossbeams 20. Arranged on each side of the main frame are interspaced pairs of guide bars such as shown at 25, the spacing between the guide bars being suiiicient to receive the cross-beams 20 and the short upper arms 2|, the guide .bars serving the function of guides for the crossbeams 20 and the upper short arms 2I, thereby insuring vertical movement when the mold is to be raised with relation to the molded product. The secondary frame is also guided laterally with relation to the main frame A by means of blocks such as shown at 26. These blocks may be secured either to the main frame or the secondary frame, but they must be constmcted of a resilient material, such as rubber or the like, as a shaking movement is transmitted to the secondary frame during the iilling of the mold, as will hereinafter be described.

The secondary frame and the 4mold carried thereby are raised and lowered by imparting a rotary motion to the cross-shafts 22. Rotary motion is transmitted to these shafts through a hydraulic cylinder such as indicated at 21. (See Fig. l.) This cylinder is provided with a piston 28 and a piston rod 29. The outer end of the rod is connected with one of the shafts 22 through means of a rocker arm 30. A similar rocker arm 3| is secured on the opposite cross-shaft 22. The upper and lower ends of the rocker arms 33 and 3I are connected by means of links 32. Hence, when reciprocal movement is transmitted to the piston and the rod 29 in the direction of arrow b, shafts 22 will be rotated in a direction to swing the crank arms 23 upwardly, and as the crank arms 23 are connected with the secondary frame by means of the links 24; an upward movement will be transmitted to the secondary frame and the mold carried thereby. Conversely, if reciprocal movement is transmitted to the piston rod 29 in the opposite direction, the rotation of the shafts 22 will be reversed and the secondary frame and the mold will be lowered. The piston 28 and the cylinder 21 are hydraulically operated and means for delivering fluid under pressure thereto and for controlling the same will hereinafter be described.

Extending longitudinally of the main frame A is a pair of angle bars such as indicated at 33. (See Fig. 5.) These angle bars form a trackway which extends from end to end of the main frame, and this trackway serves as a support for a concrete hopper generally indicated at 34. Rollers are arranged on opposite sides of the hopper as indicated at 35 and 36, and means are employed for moving the hopper from its normal stationary position, shown at 34a in Fig. 1, to the opposite end of the frame, and vice versa. That is, the hopper is in reality provided With a carriage-like support and it may be moved on this carriage from end toend of the machine on the trackway formed by the angle bars 33. During this movement it passes over the mold C and the concrete is then automatically discharged into the mold to fill the same. The hopper proper is in this instance shown as consisting of two end plates 34b and 34e. Secured between the end plates are inclined side plates such as shown at 31. These plates are spaced apart at the lower end as shown at 38 to form a discharge opening through which the concrete may escape when the hopper is passed over the mold. The hopper is illled from any suitable source of supply when it assumes the position shown at 34a., and means must accordingly be provided for closing the lower end of the hopper when it is being filled. A stationary bottom section or plate 39 is accordingly employed. A similar stationary plate is disposed at the opposite end of the machine as indicated at 39a. Concrete will accordingly only discharge when the hopper is moved over the -I mold, and discharge when any other position is assumed will be prevented by the bottom plates 39 and 39a. In actual practice the hopper is moved rapidly back and forth'over the mold so that the mold may be rapidly lled and the concrete smoothed off when the filling operation is completed. Scraping or screed bars are accordingly employed. These are pivotly mounted at opposite sides of the hopper as shown at 40. One screed bar or scraper will operate when the hopper is moving in one direction, and the other when the hopper isl moving in the opposite direction, the movement of the screed bars being limited by adjustable stop screws such as indicated at 4I. l

The mechanism for transmitting rapid movement to the hopper back and forth over the mold is also hydraulically controlled. It consists of a cylinder such as indicated at 42. (See Fig. 2.) Mounted within the cylinder is a piston 43, and secured to the piston is a piston rod 44 which extends through opposite ends of the cylinder. Arranged at each end of the machine, on the main frame A, is a cross-shaft, one 'being indicated at 45 and the other at 46. Secured on each cross-shaft is a pulley 41 and wound around each pulley and secured theretois a cable 48, the opposite ends of the cables being secured to the opposite ends of the piston rod 44 as indicated at 49. Hence, if reciprocal movement is transmitted to the piston 43 and the rod 44, rotary movement will be transmitted to the pulleys 4l and the shafts 45 and 46, the direction of rotation depending upon the direction ot movement of the piston and the rod. Secured on the respective cross-shafts 45 and 46 are pairs oi pulleys til and 5i which are considerably larger in diameter than the pulleys 4l. These pulleys serve the function -oi transmitting a rel ciprocal movement to the hopper, this being accomplished by securing a pair of cables to each side of the hopper as indicated at 52 and The opposite ends oi' the cables are secured to the pulleys it and bl as shown at tt, and the hopper is accordingly pulled along the trachway by means of the cables 52 and at, in one direction or another, depending upon the direction oi rotation ol' the pulleys. The means i'or delivering huid under pressure to the cylinder at and the regulation thereof will hereinafter be described.

During the iilling operation ci the mold it is essential that a tight contact be maintained between the lower end oi the mold and the pallets. "llo insure a tight connection a secondary support is provided. This is best illustrated in Fips. t, h and 6. Supported by the cross-beams t and entending longitudinally of the machine is a pair oi;1 beams (it. interposed between the top oi" the beams and the pallets 'l is a pair oi tubes ti. These tubes are constructed ot rubber, canvas or any other exible or resilient material. They are held in position on top oi the beam til by side plates (it, and they are covered to protect them from excess wear, by a canvas strip such as indicated at td. The tubes ti are nor-v mally derlated, but fluid under pressure is delivered to the tubes when the mold is lowered,

and a tight contact is required between the mold.

and the pallets. 'l'hat is, duid under pressure delivered to the tubes El causes them to indate or assume a rounded position, as shown in Fig. 5. When so inflated they raise the pallet upwardly against the bottom of the mold, and such a pressure is at the saine time exerted that a tight ht is maintained between the pallets and the mold. Furthermore, a resilient support is provid@ tor` the pallets and the mold, this beine' essential, as a horizontal shaking movement is transmitted to the pallets andthe mold during the nllina operation to settle the concrete in the mold during the filling operation. The tubesI 6i are hydraulically actuated, and the mechanism controlling the same will hereinafter be described.

It was previously stated that a horizontal shaking movement was transmitted to the mold and the pallets during the filling operation. This mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7. The mechanism consists of a housing generally indicated at E which is secured to one side and near the upper end of the secondary frame. Journaled within the housing is a pair of intermeshing gears 65 and 66. Each gear isprovided with an off-center counterweight such as shown at 61. (See Fig. 7.) The secondary trame also supports an electric motor or the like, near its lower end, as indicated at 68, and this motor drives the lowermost gear through pulleys and a belt,

such as shown at 69, and as the gears are intermeshed they will be both rotated in unison when the motor 68 is in operation. The counter-weights 6l employed are so positioned that they will oppose each other and render their action neutral as far as vertical vibration or shaking movement is concerned, but they co-operate to transmit a horizontal shaking movement. The horizontal shaking movement set up by the oE-center weightsis transmitted through a rod it which is attached to the secondary frame and the mold. The circuit through the motor 6d is controlled through an ordinary switch placed within convenient reach oi.' the operator. He closes the switch when the hopper is traveling baci; and iorth over the mold, and a horizontal shaking movement is accordingly transmitted to the mold during the hlling operation, thereby insuring settling oi the concrete and complete illline oi the mold. When the mold has been nlled and screeded, the switch is opened and the shaking or vibrating movement transmitted will cease. it is tor this reason that the switch controlling the motor and the shaking mechanism is manually actuated so that it will be under complete control oi the operator.

after the mold has been completely rllled and leveled ed by the screed bars or Scrapers and the mold is to he liited or stripped with relation to the molded .product indicated at lli, V(see lilla. 6l it is more or less essential to entrare the upper ends of the molded bricks, or product, while the mold is beine raised. A push-out trame eenerally indicated at 'it is employed ior this purpose. lit is pivotly supported as at lit at one side of the main trame and it is partially counterbalanced by a weicht such as shown at lit. Illihe trarne is provided with a series oi push-out plates such as indicated at llt. These alien with the reI spective openings in the mold and they enert a downward pressure on the molded product while the mold is heine raised. The push-out trame is lowered into position by means oi a hydraulic mechanism consisting oi a cylinder lit, a piston it and a piston rod lili, this rod beine attached at its outer end to a cranls arm'td .which le ae cured to the shaft or pivotal point lt. Theirame drops by gravity when duid under pressure is released from the cylinder and when it reaches the horizontal position shown in Fin. d it is loclred with relation to the main trarne by means ol a latch di and it is held in this locked position during the stripnine or upward movement ci the mold. The mechanism controlling the iiow oi' duid to the cylinders 'lli will hereinaiter be described.

lit will be noted when reviewing the description so far submitted, that each mechanism is hydraulically actuated. Means lor supplyinr,r a liquid or duid under pressure must accordingly be provided. The means employed in this instance is a centriiugal pump such as indicated at 8i, (see Fig. l2) and a. supply tank 85. The pump is provided with a main discharge line 86 which delivers liquid under pressure to the several cylinders. A main valve assembly generally indicated at F is interposed between the supply pipe 85 and the aecondary supply lines connected with the several cylinders, and a hand-controlled pilot valve mechanism, generally indicated at G, is in turn interposed between the main valve assembly and the supply pipe I6.

The main valve mechanism or assembly shown at F (see Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11) consists of an elongated valve chest 81 on the opposite sides of which are arranged a return manifold 88 and a supply manifold 89. The supply pipe 86 connects with the valve chest at the point indicated at 90. A port is formed in the side of the valve chest as indicated at 9| and this communicates with the supply manifold B9. A main return pipe is employed as indicated at 92. This connects with the opposite end of the valve chest as shown at 93 and it connects with the return manifold through means of a port 8d. The opposite end of the return pipe 92 is connected with the supply tank 85 so that water or other fluid employed may be circulated and returned. The main part of the valve chest, intermediate the ports 90 and 93, is divided into a series of chambers such as shown at 95 by a series of cross partition Walls 86. Ports 91 and 98 are formed on opposite sides of the valve chest, there being two ports for each chamber. A valve stem extends through each chamber as indicated at 99 and a pair of valves is mounted thereon as shown at and at I8I. Formed on the side of the supply manifold 89 are a series of cylinders such as shown at |02. These cylinders align with the valve chest chambers 85 and each cylinder is provided with a piston |03 which is secured on the outer end of the valve stem S9. Each cylinder indicated at |02 is provided with a supply port I04. A fluid under pressure is delivered thereto to actuate the valves indicated at I 00 and IIII as will hereinafter be described. Each valve chest chamber 95 is provided with valves such as shown at I0@ and IUI and with an actuating cylinder and piston such as indicated at |03. A description of one should accordingly suffice as they are all identical in construction and arrangement. Each valve chest chamber is provided with an upper port |05 which alternately acts as an inlet or outlet port.

The several valves mounted in the main valve chest F are actuated by hand-controlled pilot valves generally indicated at |06, |01, |08 and |08. These are placed within convenient reach of the operator. The valve shown at I06 is an ordinary 'three-way valve, while the valves shown at |01, I08 and |08 are four-way valves. That is, each of the valves shown at |01, |08 and |09 is provided with inlet ports as shown at IID which are connected with the supply pipe 86 through means of pipes I I I. Each of the valves is provided with discharge pipes as shown at I I2 and each valve is provided with a combination supply and return pipe as indicated at I I3 and II4. The discharge pipes I I2 all connect with a common return pipe I I5 which in turn is connected through a pipe I I 6 with the main return pipe 92.

The operation of the machine will be as follows:

A number of empty pallets are rst placed on the receiving end of the conveyor which is indicated at B, and the hopper 34 is filled with concrete. It is next necessary to move the empty pallets into alignment with the mold indicated at C. This is accomplished as follows: With the pump 84 in operation and the pipe 86 supplied with water under pressure` it will be necessary for the operator to turn the pilot valve |01 so that the water from the supply pipe 86 will pass through the pipe I I I and the pipe I I3 into the supply port |04 of the cylinder |02a. This will cause the piston |03 therein to move outwardly. It will cause the valve |00 to close against port 91 and the valve |0I to open with relation to the port 98. and

as the supply manifold 89 is full of water under pressure supplied through ports 90 and 9|, water under pressure will enter the co-operating chamber 95 of the valve chest and it will discharge through the port |05. This is connected with cylinder II through means of pipe I3, The piston I0 in the cylinder will accordingly move to its extreme outward position ready for the cross head 8 to engage the empty pallets and to move them forward on the return stroke into alignment with the mold C. The valve I4 which is automatically actuated by the cross head will during this movement cause the cross head to start up with a slow speed and similarly to slow down gradually as the end of the stroke is reached. This deceleration of the movement of the piston, the cross head and the pallets actuated thereby would not be necessary if empty pallets only were handled, but it must be remembered that the empty pallets will later on be loaded with molded products in a plastic condition and that it will then be necessary to gradually accelerate the movement when starting and to decelerate the movement when stopping. This acceleration and deceleration is automatically taken care of by the valve I4 and the cross head as previously described. While the pallets are moving forwardly water previously delivered to the cylinder II will discharge through the pipe I3 and the valve I4. The pipe I2 connects with one of the chambers 95 of the main valve chest, and the co-operating valves |00 and IOI will in that instance assume the position shown in Fig. 8. That is, port 98 will be closed while port 91 will be open. The water forced out by the piston I0 through the opposite end of the pipe I3 will accordingly enter the valve chamber 95 through port |05 and it will discharge through port 91 into the return manifold 88 from where it will escape through the ports 93 and 94 into the pipe 92 which returns it to the supply tank 85. When the empty pallets have been moved forward into alignment with the mold, cross head 8 may be returned by the operator merely by reversing the position of the valve |01. When this valve is reversed water will iiow from the supply pipe 88 through the pipe I I I into the valve and will be directed by the valve into the pipe |I4. This in turn delivers the Water to the supply port |022) of the cylinder |02, and the piston I 03 which is mounted therein will be moved outwardly. Valves |00 and I0| will accordingly reverse their position and water under pressure will now be delivered to the pipe I2 While it will be returned from the cylinder II through pipe I3. The Water previously admitted to the cylinder I02a will at the same time return to pipe I I3 and will be directed through the valve to pipe I I2 which connects with pipes II5 and IIB. These are in turn connected with the pipe 82 and the water is accordingly returned to the tank 85. The pallets are now in position and the cross head has been returned. It is next necessary to lower the mold with relation to the pallets and at the same time to raise the pallets into tight contact with relation to the lower end of the mold. This is accomplished by the operator through means of the pilot valve |09. That is, he swings the valve so that the water from pipes 86 and III will enter the pipe II3. It is thus delivered under pressure to the cylinder |02 and as such forces the piston |03 outwardly. Valve |00 co-operatlng therewith is accordingly closed while the valve IOI is opened. Water under pressure will accordingly enter the pipe shown at I I1 and as such will be delivered to one side of the piston 28 which is mounted in the cylinder 21.

dil

Y movementto'the shafts Thepiston-wlllmove-infthedirectlonof the arrow (see Fig. 12) and as such will transmit a rocking 22. The crank arms 23 will swing downwardly in unison and as they are connected to the secondary frame through means of the links 24, the secondary frame, together with the mold, will be lowered. A three-way valve such as shown at H8 (see Figs. 6 and 12) is mounted adjacent the secondary frame. The handle oi the valve is engaged by one or another oi the pins indicated at I I9. Thus when the secondary frame and mold is being lowered the valve I Il is swung to open position. Water under pressure from the supply pipe 06 is delivered to valve Il through a pipe such as indicated at l 20. The water passing through the valve is directed to the pipe lil. This in turn delivers the Water to the inlet port |02c. This forces the piston ills outwardly and the cci-operatingvalve l is closed while the valve llli is opened. Water under pressure thus enter the pipe indicated at lit. This pipe is connected with the flexible tubes or members shown at di. The water under pressure entering the hose indates them and as they are being inflated they raise the pallets upwardly into tight contact with the botto oi the .mold and at the same time iorm a deirlble resilient support lor the pallets and the mold. ln other words, valve llt is entirely automatically actuated, as it is controlled by the upward or doward movement oi the secondary frame and the mold. en the mold is lowered valve lill is opened and water under pressure is 1'* tted to the tube di. Conversely, when the secondary trame and the mold are raised when stripping the molded product the position oi the valve lid is reversed and the water previously admitted to the cylinder ldlc will discharge through pipe lita and pipes lit and di and as such will be returned to the tanlr.

The old has now been lowered and the pallets have been raised into tight contact with the lower end thereof. The mold is now ready for the reception and wie of the concrete and this is accomplished by moving the hopper di loaclr and i'ortli over the mold as has been previously described. lllhe movement of the hopper is controlled by means ol the cylinder it. This is pro-V vided with two pipes such as shown at lit and iid, and the ilow or return ol water through said pipes is controlled by the pilot valve indicated at iw. "m pilot valve controls the dow ol water to the rio-operating cylinders tid and idle. These in turn actuate the co-operatlng valves Illlll and ld l., and water under pressure will accordingly he alternately admitted and. discharged trom opposite ends ol the cylinder di. d reciprocal movement is thus transm'tted to the piston and this is in t transmitted through the cross-shafts it and it and the co-operating pulleys and cables indicated at t2, t3, etc.

" o g the filling operation it is essential that the concrete should become thoroughly settled in the mold to insure complete filling and to avoid the formation of any voids or air pockets. Means have accordingly been provided for transmitting a horizontal shaking movement to the mold and the pallets supporting the same during the filling operation. The means employed are the gears indicated at 05 and 06. (See Figs. 5 and '7.) These are driven by electric motor 68 and as previously stated the circuit therethrough is controlled byan ordinary electric switch placed within convenient reach of the operator. He merely closes the switch when he starts the illling operation and opens the switch to break the circuit when the filling operation has been completed.

After the iilling operation is completed it is necessary to raise the mold to strip it with relation to the concrete and to simultaneously lower the pallets back to the roller conveyor. This is accomplished by irst opening the three-way valve indicated at |06. That is, the valve ls swung by the operator so that it will release water under pressure in the cylinder |02f. The Water released discharges through pipe |30 and the valve and is returned to the tank through pipes l l5, etc. The piston in the cylinder |021 is accordingly moved inwardly. The co-operating valve |00 is opened and the valve lill is closed. Water from the cylinder ld will accordingly discharge through pipe lil. The piston in the cylinder 'it will accordingly move upwardly and the push-out frame will swing from the dotted line position to the iull line position shown at 'i3 in Fig. t. lit is here locked and secured with relation to the main frame by ans of the latch 8l. The pilot valve itt is nent swung by the operator to reverse its position. This will cause water under pressure to enter cylinder il through pipe l il and to discharge through pipe l Illa.. The movement oi the piston iid will be in a direction opposite to that previously described. The movement oi the crossshaits til will be reversed and the secondary ire and the mold will be raised. ds the secondary trame is raised the position oi the valve lill will be reversed und the water previously adn mitted to the tubes til will be liberated and the tubes will become dedated, thereby lowering the loaded pallets until they engage with the roller conveyor. Valve itl ls next reversed causing the piston it and the cylinder il to again travel forwardly. d new lot oi empty pallets will accordingly be moved into alient with the mold, we the pallets loadedwith the molded product will be forced ahead of them to the discharge end ol the conveyor, from Where they may be removed in any suitable manner. When the empty pallets are in position, cross head d 1:" be returned. Valve iii! is again reversed and the mold wlllbe lowered and the pallets simultaneously raised by autotlc actuation oi valve l it which causes lnnation of the tubes ti. The push-out frame is then raised by releasing the latch di and reversing the position oi the valve idd. This will now admit water under pressure through pipe itil to cylinder itil'. Co-oper-ating valves wd and itl will automatically assume a position where water under pressure will enter pipe lil. The piston in the cylinder 'ld will accordingly be lowered and the push-out trame 'ld will be raised to assume the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6. The molds are now ready to be filled and this is accomplished by moving the concrete hopper over the old as previously described.

The several cycles oi operation have been cornpleted. It should accordingly be clear that each operation is hydraulically actuated and hydraulically controlled through means of the pilot valves iM, lill, ldd and |09. These pilot valves, to-

gether with. the switch controlling the circuit through the motor 88, are as previously described placed within convenient reach of the operator and as such may be quickly and readily manipulated ln successive order as the several cycles of operation take place. Each operation is within Iull control of the operator and the time of operation may accordingly be increased or decreased as the judgment of the operator or circumstances may demand.

While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically described, we wish it understood that various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims; similarly, that the materials and ilnishes of the several parts employed may be such as the manufacturer may decide or varying conditions or uses may demand.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a machine of the character described, a mold, a support below the mold, a pallet supported thereby and forming a bottom for the mold, and resilient means operable independent of the support for holding the pallet tightly against the lower end of the mold.

2. In a machine of the character described, a mold, a support below the mold, a pallet supported thereby and forming a bottom for the mold, and hydraulic means operable independent oi. the support for holding the pallet tightly against the lower end of the mold.

3. In a machine of the character described, a mold, a support below the mold, a pallet supported thereby and forming a bottom for the mold, a secondary support, a pair of ilexible normally collapsed tubes interposed between the secondary support and the pallet, and means for lling the tubes with a iluid under pressure to extend the same so as to hold the pallet tightly against the lower end of the mold.

e. In a machine of the character described, a mold, a support below the mold, a pallet supported thereby and forming a bottom for the mold, a. secondary support, a pair of ilexible normally collapsed tubes interposed between the secondary support and the pallet, means for raising and lowering the mold with relation to the pallet, a valve controlling the ow of a iiuid under pressure to the tubes to inate or deflate the same, and means operable in conjunction with the mold raising and lowering mechanism for automatically changing the position of the mold so that the tubes will be inflated during lowering of the mold and conversely deated during raising of the mold.

5. In a machine of the character described, 'a frame, a concrete hopper, a mold disposed below the hopper, a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, manually controlled means whereby a fluid under pressure is introduced to opposite ends of the cylinder to impart a reciprocal movement to the piston, a trackway on the frame and forming a support for the concrete hopper, and means connecting the piston and the hopper whereby a. reciprocal movement is transmitted to the hopper longitudinally of the frame and over the mold to ll the same.

6. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a, concrete hopper, a mold disposed below the hopper, means for transmitting a reciprocal movement to the hopper longitudinally of the frame and over the mold to illl the mold, and means for shaking the mold during the filling operation to settle the concrete therein.

7. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a concrete hopper, a mold disposed below the same, a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod secured to the piston and extending throlgh opposite ends of the cylinder, a pair of pulleys journaled in the frame, one at each end thereof, a pair of cables secured at their outer ends to the respective pulleys and at their inner ends to the piston rod, manually controlled means whereby a iluid under pressure is lntroduced to opposite ends of the cylinder to impart a reciprocal movement to the piston and to rotate the pulleys, a track-way in the frame forming a support for the concrete hopper, and a second set of cables secured to the pulleys at one end and to the concrete hopper at the opposite end so that rotation of the pulleys will be transmitted to impart a reciprocal movement to the concrete hopper longitudinally of the frame and over the mold so as to fill the mold.

8. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a concrete hopper, a mold disposed below the same, a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod secured to the piston and extending through opposite ends of the cylinder, a pair of pulleys journaled in the frame, one at each end thereof, a pair of cables secured at their outer ends to the respective pulleys and at their inner ends to the piston rod, manually controlled means whereby a iluid under pressure is introduced to opposite ends of the cylinder to impart a reciprocal movement to the piston and to rotate the pulleys, a track-way in the frame forming a support for the concrete hopper, a second set of cables secured to the pulleys at one end and to the concrete hopper at the opposite end so that rotation of the pulleys will be transmitted to impart a reciprocal movement to the concrete hopper longitudinally of the frame and over the mold so as to ll the mold, and scraper members carried by the concrete hopper to level off the concrete when the mold is filled.

9. In a machine of the character described, a frame, a concrete hopper, a mold disposed below the same, a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod secured to the piston and extending through opposite ends of the cylinder, a pair of pulleys journaled in the frame, one at each end thereof, a pair of cables secured at their outer ends to the respective pulleys and at their inner ends to the piston rod, manually controlled means whereby a fluid under pressure is introduced to opposite ends of the cylinder to impart a reciprocal movement to the piston and to rotate the pulleys, a track-way in the frame forming a support for the concrete hopper, a second set oi.' cables secured to the pulleys at one end and to the concrete hopper at the opposite end so that rotation of the pulleys will be transmitted to impart a reciprocal movement to the concrete hopper longitudinally of the frame and over the mold so as to illl the mold, scraper members carried by the concrete hopper to level oil.r the concrete when the mold is illled, and means for im parting a shaking movement to the mold during the filling operation to settle the concrete therein.

10. In a. machine of the character described, a main main frame, a secondary frame, a mold supported by the secondary frame, a pallet oo-operating with the mold and forming a bottom therefor, a support for the pallet, means for delivering concrete to the mold to illl the same, and means connected with the secondary frame for imparting a shaking movement to the seccndary frame and the mold to settle the concrete during the illling operation.

l1. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, a. secondary frame, a mold supported by the secondary frame, a pallet cooper ating with the mold and forming a bottom therefor, a support for the pallet, means i'or delivering concrete to the mold to illl the same. means connected with the secondary frame for imparting a shaking movement to the secondary frame and the mold to settle the concrete during the filling operation, means for -raising the secondary frame and the mold with relation to the moldedv article, and means for removing the pallet with the molded article and for delivering an empty pallet to the mold.

12. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, a secondary frame, a mold secured to the secondary frame, a roller conveyor on the main frame and forming a support for one or more pallets, means for moving the pallets along the conveyor into alignment with the mold, ilexlble means operable independent of the conveyor for raising the pallets tightly up against the lower end of the mold, a pair of gears journaled on the main frame, a pair of counterweights, one on each gear, said gears lntermeshing, and means for rotating the gears, said counterweights being l so positioned that they will only impart a horizontal shaking movement to the secondary frame, the mold and the pallet co-operating therewith.

13. In a machine of the character described, an elongated main frame, a roller conveyor in the frame and extending substantially from end to end thereof, a plurality of pallets adapted to be supported by the roller conveyor, a mold disposed in the frame above the conveyor and the pallets, a cylinder disposed in the frame. a piston in the cylinder, a piston rod connected with the piston and extending through one end of the cylinder, a cross-head attached to the outer end of the piston rod, said cross-head having a proiection which is adapted to engage the pallets, means for admitting a iiuid under pressure to either end of the cylinder so as to impart a reciprocal movement to the piston and the crossnead whereby the pallets are moved longitudinally on the conveyor and into register with the mold, and a valve in the fluid connection which is adapted to slowly open at the beginning of the stroke and slowly close near the end of the pist-on stroke, so as to start the movement of the pallets along the conveyor slowly and similarly stop the movement slowly.

14. In a machine of the character described, a main frame. a secondary frame, a mold supported by the secondary frame, a pallet co-operating with the mold, a support in the main' frame lor the pallet, a secondary support for the pallet adapted to raise the pallet into tight contact with the bottom of the mold, a track-way in the main frame, a concrete hopper supported by the track-way, means for imparting movement to the hopper longitudinally of the frame and above the mold to fill the same, means for -imparting a shaking movement to the frame during the lling operation to settle the concrete, means for raising the mold with relation to the pallet after the lling operation to strip the molded article, and means for imparting longitudinal movement to the pallet and the molded article mounted thereon to discharge it from the machine, and for simultaneously delivering an empty pallet intol alignment with the mold.

` 15. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, a secondary frame, a mold supported by the secondary frame, a pallet co-operatlng with the mold, a support in the main frame for the pallet, a secondary support for the pallet aiapted to raise the pallet into tight contact with the bottom of the mold, a track-way in the main trame, a. concrete hopper supported by the trackway, means for imparting movement to the hopper lngitudinally of the trame and above the mold toilll the same, means for imparting a shaking movement to the frame during the filling operation to settle the concrete, means for raising the mold with relation tothe pallet after the lling operation to strip the molded article, means for imparting longitudinal movement to the pallet and the molded article mounted thereon to discharge it from the machine, and for simultaneorusly delivering an empty pallet into alignment with the mold, hydraulic means supplying power to operate the several mechanisms, and manually controlled means for actuating the hydraulic power whereby each mechanism is manually controlled.

16. In a machine of the character described, a main frame, a secondary frame, a mold supported thereby, a cylinder, a piston within the cylinder, means for admitting a fluid under pressure to either end of the cylinder to impart a reciprocal movement to the piston, means whereby reciprocal movement of the piston is transmitted to raise or lower the secondary frame and the mold carried thereby, a pallet adapted to cooperate "with the mold to form 'a bottom therefor, means for supporting the pallet, a secondary support, a pair of flexible tubes interposed between the secondary support and the pallet, a valve controlling a ow of fluid under pressure to said tubes to extend or deflate the same. andmeans actuated by movement of the secondary frame for automatically opening a valve to admit the fluid to the flexible tubes ahd conversely for reversing the position of the valve to permit discharge of the uid.

1'7. In a machine oi' the character described, a main frame, a conveyor extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of pallets mounted on the conveyor, a cylinder. a piston mounted therein, a piston rod secured'to the piston and extending through one end of the cylinder, a cross-head on the rod and engageable with the pallets, means for admitting a fluid under pressure to either end oi.' the cylinder to impart a reciprocal movement to the piston, the rod and the cross-head, and through the cross-head to move the pallets along the conveyor, and a valve actuated by the movement oi the piston for accelerating the movement oi' the piston at the beginning of the stroke and for decelerating during the end of its stroke so as to start the pallets along the conveyor with a slow movement, and similarly to stop them with a slow movement.

i8. A machine for molding concrete units comprising, a frame; a horizontally disposed guide- Way on said frame; a pallet to rest 'in a horizontal position on said guideway; a horizontally disposed mold open on its top and bottom sides having said pallet arranged thereunder and in spaced relation to the open bottom thereof; means to raise the pallet from the guideway into engagement with the bottom of the mold during the molding operation and to thereafter lower the pallet onto the guideway; means to raise the mold away from the pallet onto the guideway; means to raise the mold away from the pallet to free the contents of the mold onto the pallet; and means to vibrate the mold during the molding operation and during the initial movement o! the mold away from the pallet.

i ALBERT R. SHINN.

JOSEPH T. VOORHEIS. 

